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Serre Chevalier Ski Resort Guide

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Serre Chevalier is one of France’s largest ski resorts with 250km of pistes and some of the best tree-skiing in the French Alps – an abundance of widely-spaced larch trees have a lot to do with this. Amazingly, the resort remains relatively undiscovered, so you can expect quiet pistes even in peak weeks, great value for money and southern alpine sunshine.

Serre Chevalier spans between the medieval town of Briançon at 1200m and the alpine spa village of Le Monêtier les Bains at 1500m. The highest lift accesses pistes and off-piste itinerary routes from 2830m altitude, and the off-piste mecca La Grave La Meije is just a 25 minute drive away.

Find the lesson that suits you in our Serre Chevalier Ski School.

Serre Chevalier Resort Information

Serre Chevalier Key Facts

  • 250km of pistes – 18 greens, 31 blues, 35 reds, 15 blacks
  • 1600m vertical drop from Monêtier (2830m) to Briançon (1200m)
  • 700 metres vertical drop of incredible tree-lined skiing
  • North-facing snowsure pistes that bolster a great snow record
  • Just 25km from off-piste mecca La Grave
  • One of Europe’s largest thermal spas in alpine village Monêtier
  • Nearest airports are Turin (1.5hrs) and Grenoble (2hrs)
  • “The whole mountain can seem like one big terrain park” from welove2ski.com

Serre Chevalier Piste Map

Serre Chevalier Piste Map

Recent Serre Chevalier Blog Posts

Big smiles from the top of Monetier

Learning to ski in Serre Chevalier

As part of our series on learning to ski in all our resorts, this week we're turning our attention to Serre Chevalier. Mel Crosby, Ski School Manager in resort, gives us the low down on what Serre Che has to offer a beginner skier. The resort…

Skiing in Serre Chevalier

The best ski runs in Serre Chevalier – our pick of the bunch

Where do we start? This much depends on where you will be starting your day skiing or snowboarding. Serre Chevalier is one of France’s largest ski resorts but, thankfully, it is accessible via four main lift areas:

Monêtier les Bains

One of our favourite place to ski in Serre Chevalier. It has it all. Nursery runs at village height for children and adults, thoughtfully laid out and with recent equipment and a restaurant just a stone’s throw away. Intermediate runs adorn mid-station around 2000 metres altitude, such as L’Eychauda, Aya and Corvaria. Then the off-piste potential takes in the finest larch forest in the Alps – you will never forget skiing La Montagnolle, Tête du Grand Pré, Lauzières and more.

Chantemerle

Very much the hub of Serre Chevalier, with the newest lifts e.g. Ratier and the famous black piste Luc Alphand. Above the village is fabulous terrain for novices in particular, and head over towards…

Villeneuve

Entertain the more proficient skiers in your party and those who think the ‘park’ is somewhere worth hanging out all day long!

Briançon

Located at the lower end, albeit still at 1200 metres altitude at the bottom. Its predominantly sunny cruisey blues and reds – a must is the ‘piste Vauban’ – descend into the thriving new town.  You have the most magnificent views of historic forts perched above the town from almost every piste.

Serre Chevalier FAQ’s

How can I get to resort?

Serre Chevalier is just 1.5hrs from Turin airport, 2hrs from Grenoble, and is only 35 minutes drive from the TGV train station at Oulx (Italy), direct from Paris. You can drive from one of the northern ferry ports in 10 hours. Local firms offer airport transfers e.g. Resalp –  LinkBus.

For a more detailed look at how to get to Serre Chevalier, click here.

Where can I stay in resort?

Arts et Vie
A very recent 4-Star ski-in and out residence – serviced apartments for up to eight guests, situated right opposite the village’s thermal baths, Monêtier.

Chalet Lumiere Bois
Beautiful chalets in Serre Chevalier valley

Chalet Prestige
You won’t get a better standard of accommodation than that offered by this relatively new chalet company. Expect a higher price for your winter holiday – but it’s worth it! Monêtier and further.

Crystal
Ski & Snowboard package holidays in Serre Chevalier, Monêtier, Villeneuve and Chantemerle

EurekaSKI
For independent travelers looking for high-quality accommodation (many with spa facilities); make the most of the additional services such as ski coaching and guiding, transfers, catering, childcare, …

Hotel L’Alliey & Pré des Ors apartments
A beautiful hotel (with serviced apartments) that sees lots of returning guests. Make sure it’s ½ board so you can enjoy their ‘Maison Alliey’ restaurant, Monêtier.

Hotel L’Europe
Sarah & Pascal Finat always provide a warm, French welcome – and treat you to some inventive French cuisine and a relaxed bar (Sarah speaks English – she is English!), Monêtier.

Inghams
Ski holidays in Serre Chevalier, catered chalets and hotels in Villeneuve

Ski Miquel
Great value catered chalet and hotel packages, Monêtier. Their Chalet Charlotte was completely renovated in 2013. Gavin visits the chalet at ski tea Sun-Tue.

Snowed Inn Chalets
A fantastic three-man team Jo, Steve and Matt, run catered chalets in Serre Chevalier. They do a fabulous job, guests return year after year.

SNO
Ski deals and cheap holidays with the biggest tour operators in Serre Chevalier.

Zenith Holidays
A niche tour operator with two chalets and a number of hotels in Serre Chevalier, mainly in Chantemerle and Villeneuve.

Alpenglow Ski
A specialist chalet agent with a wide range of catered chalets to suit all budgets

Where can I get my skis and snowboard equipment?

We’ve partnered with Ski Set to give you an exclusive discount off your rental kit. Book your ski and snowboard equipment here.
– Monêtier: www.aoraki.info – our clients enjoy a 20% discount all season (30% at Easter)
– Monêtier: www.wiiski.com – lovely rental and coffee shop!

What is the snow like? Serre Chevalier webcams

There’s no better way to find out than checking Serre Chevalier’s web cams, just click here.
And have a look at the live lift and snow depth info here and here.

Where can I find more information about Serre Chevalier?

We’ve handpicked some super Serre Chevalier websites and resources to help you discover more about the resort:
www.serre-chevalier.com – Tourist Office website
www.eurekaski.com – Independent news & useful articles
http://wtss.co.uk/the-book (printed bible of ski resorts – thoroughly recommend)

How about non-skiing activities?

You’ve picked a fabulous resort for skiing – and a fabulous resort to keep your non-skiers happy too!

At the lower end of Serre Chevalier, enjoy BRIANCON and it’s fortified town – the Cité Vauban. Cobbled streets steeped in history, cafés (must stop: Café Turin), art galleries, tourist office, restaurants all overlooked by the Croix de Toulouse and the peaks that surround this alpine town.

The highest end of Serre Chevalier (LE MONETIER LES BAINS) boasts one of Europe’s largest thermal baths Les Grands Bains. Indoor and outdoor steaming pools, jets, plunge pools of differing temps, sauna, waterfall, … A must for skiers and non-skiers alike.

Because Serre Chevalier is a working valley, with farms and all-round businesses and it’s main town of Briançon, you will find everything you would expect to keep the locals and holidaymakers happy: theatre, cinemas, ice-rinks, no less than three large swimming centres, free bus service (with guest card), historic tours and all the usual winter activities such as snow-shoeing and dog-sledding.

Any recommendations for places to eat?

We (Gavin and Mel) have lived in Serre Chevalier since 2001 and tested a few restaurants along the way! Here is our list of restaurants in Serre Chevalier along with some handy links:

LE MONETIER LES BAINS (OUR SKIING BASE)

Auberge du Choucas Auberge du Choucas
Chez Finette (Le Casset village) Tel: +33 (0)4 92 24 43 27
L’Aquisana Tel: +33 (0)4 92 24 10 10 L’Aquisana
La Belotte Web link
La Brasera Tel: +33 (0)4 92 52 25 46 Web link
Le Montagn’art Web link
Le Chazal (Les Guibertes village) Web link
Le Kawa Web link
La Cagette Web link
Maison Alliey Web link

VILLENEUVE – LA SALLE

Eau Petit Pont – our favourite place to eat in Villeneuve! Web link
La Marrotte
Le Chazelay
Le Frog

CHANTEMERLE

Bruno’s (Hotel Plein Sud) – themed evenings and creative menu
La Cabassa – popular pizzeria
L’Estable
Le Loup Blanc – always fabulous, even their midday menus
Le Petit Chalet
Le Triptyque – international cuisine at its best

BRIANCON

Au Plaisir Ambre * – for a special night out
L’Alpin
Le Gavroche * – medieval menus worth a look
Le Bistrot de la Paix * – great menu and desserts!
Le Péché Gourmand – the valley’s only Michelin star restaurant
Le Pied de la Gargouille * – cooked on the fire
Le Rustique * – home to Briançon’s own tasty fondue!
Les Ecrins * – family run, varied menu, always lovely
L’Etage * – French with Italian-influence (our favourite place to eat in Briançon)
Mamma Mia * – genuine Italian, fast service, sometimes a bit erratic but great value!

* these restaurants are in or just outside the magnificent medieval (old walled town) of Briançon

How do I get around resort?

Serre Chevalier has a dedicated Ski Bus that serves the whole valley using the main valley road (Route Nationale). NOTE: From winter 2017/18 this service is payable when boarding and we are awaiting exact tarifs; expect 2€pp for each journey or 4€pp for a day bus ticket. 

If you’re looking to simply get from and to your accommodation to the nearest lift (in your sector e.g. staying in the village of MONETIER LES BAINS and want to get to the BACHAS chair lift), use the local buses (or Le Petit Train in Villeneuve. These services are FREE with your lift pass or guest card (for non-skiers).

How about childcare?

Each lift station in Serre Chevalier has a childcare centre, whether it is a local creche or an ESF-run ‘garderie’. There are very few childcare options other than these so we’ve ensured that our friends at independent travel company EurekaSKI will advise you on the most suitable option for your child/ren based on where you’re staying. From time to time they have a nanny service, so get in touch quick!

Check out what our Serre Chevalier Ski School has on offer

Adult Group Ski Lessons

Adult Group Ski Lessons

Children’s Group Lessons

Children's Ski Lessons

Private Lessons

Private Ski & Snowboard Lessons

Technical Ski Clinics

Ski or Snowboard Clinics

Guiding & Off-Piste

Off-Piste Skiing

Corporate Lessons

Corporate Ski Lessons